DEER TICK > More Fuel For The Fire

DEER TICK

More Fuel for the Fire EP

(PARTISAN)

[Rating: 3.5 stars]

I blacked out the last time I went to see Deer Tick. I got caught up in the bar-band vibe and over served myself. These things happen. Providence, RI’s finest released an ITunes-only EP yesterday, entitled More Fuel for the Fire. Recorded over a month during “the Black Dirt Sessions,” the handful of new songs here — three in all — draw energy from the band’s revelling live performances. Both “La La La” and “Dance of Love” are bathed in Honky Tonk neon. The latter showcases the talents of Andrew Grant Tobiassen, who contributes lead vocals and red-hot lead guitar. John McCauley seems in fine form on “Axe is Forever,” a ’70s dive romp highlighted by dueling guitars and the Ryan brothers’ spirited rhythms. Fittingly, a live version of Born on Flag Day’s “Straight into A Storm” brings this party to a close. For now, it’s as close as you’ll get without being there.